Student Literary-Response AP
Response to “The Fourth of July” by Audre Lorde
Upon a careful scrutiny of “The 4th of July” by Audre Lorde, it is incontrovertible to the reader that the adjective “white”, is ubiquitous within a sentence in the final paragraph. Lorde used this word so many times as a form of repetition to emphasize her dislike of white people due to their injustice against her family. During her vacation to Washington D.C., Lorde and her family were told by a waitress at a restaurant that they “can’t eat there,” a subliminal phrase referencing the color of their skin. The Lorde family had a history of experiencing racial injustice, and this encounter ruining her whole experience and Kate D.C. and all its “whiteness.” Gazing upon all the things in the city that were white made Lorde “sick to [her] stomach,” as it reminded her of how she was unfairly treated by a fellow human being.
In conclusion, I sympathize with Lorde, considering that she had to deal with this conundrum in her era. All the white things around her signify that the issue of racism is always prevalent in their lives.
Priestly Ogbonna
AP Language and Composition
Mrs. Shoop
Link to "The Fourth of July" by Audre Lorde
Response to “The Fourth of July” by Audre Lorde
Building up to a dramatic moment is a skill Lorde did well in this essay. The fact she incorporated an anecdote is what makes the moment of highest quality. The dramatic moment in “The Fourth of July” is when her family was shown direct racism in the diner essentially ruining their vacation and displaying the true colors of this country for Lorde. Lorde tells the story in a way to make this moment effective by starting the story off happy (graduation, etc.) then slowly slipping in racist experiences for his family members then finally digressing to the big cereal at the diner which makes his incredulous about this country.
Tawafiq Nacanabo
AP Language and Composition
Mrs. Shoop